Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Olivier Giroud and Riyad Mahrez

Olivier Giroud has reportedly held talks with Everton manager Ronald Koeman about how he would be used should he sign for the Toffees this summer.

The Arsenal striker's future has been the subject of speculation since the Gunners completed a club-record deal for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette on Wednesday, per BBC Sport.

Now a report from French source Foot Mercato (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express) has detailed the talks between Giroud and Koeman: "According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Giroud talked to Koeman about the plans to use him at Goodison Park. And the report says Giroud will think about Everton's proposal and make a decision in early August about his future."

Giroud is also wanted by Ligue 1 duo Marseille and Lyon, as well as West Ham United, per the reports.

In fact, Marseille believe they have the upper hand in any race for the 30-year-old, according to James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph: "Everton, West Ham and Lyon have also been heavily linked with Giroud, but Marseille are increasingly confident of getting a deal worth around €28 million (£24.7 million), plus add-ons, over the line."

Marseille's confidence comes amid reports the Toffees have made Giroud a priority in this transfer window, a player they will spend £20 million to sign, per Joe Strange of MailOnline.

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Losing Giroud would be a minor blow for Arsenal since the former Montpellier man is an underrated member of the side's attacking rotation. A natural target man, the France international is not the most polished finisher, but he gives the Gunners something different.

Specifically, he is a useful and physical presence in the air. Giroud can bully defenders and play with his back to goal, which is an asset against teams who sit deep to try to prevent Arsenal from using pace to get in behind.

More than just brute force, though, Giroud is a gifted technical player, one who links superbly with others. Some of the Gunners' best team goals during the past five seasons owed a lot to his classy touches and clever knock-downs—think Jack Wilshere's finish against Norwich City in 2013 and Tomas Rosicky's deft goal against Sunderland in 2014.

Giroud also created Aaron Ramsey's winner to beat Chelsea in the 2017 FA Cup final. It was the second time in four seasons he had set up the Wales international to win the cup.

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Though his value is obvious, Giroud naturally craves extended playing time ahead of a FIFA World Cup year. He made that clear last month, per Vaishali Bhardwaj of the London Evening Standard.

However, it stands to reason Giroud will play less now Lacazette has arrived, with manager Arsene Wenger often preferring to deploy just one natural centre-forward.

If the Gunners can get £20 million for a striker who cost them £12 million in 2012, they should probably take it.

Lacazette may not be the only addition to the Arsenal forward line this summer, with the north London club reportedly still keen on Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez. However, the Gunners don't want to pay any more than £35 million for a player the Foxes value at £50 million, per John Percy of the Daily Telegraph.

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Percy noted how Mahrez will return to pre-season training with Leicester, although his immediate future is far from certain. Arsenal see the Algeria international as a viable alternative to another target, AS Monaco's Thomas Lemar, whom the Ligue 1 club value at £80 million, according to Percy.

For his part, Mahrez is "keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium," per MailOnline's Oliver Todd.

Mahrez is a terrific talent, a roving wide forward with a wand of a left foot, along with the pace, trickery and flair to tie defenders in knots.

At his best, the winger would improve any team, yet he makes a curious target for the Gunners, unless one of Mesut Ozil or Alexis Sanchez leaves. Both are out of contract in 2018, and the Chile international has asked for £400,000 per week to stay, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

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Sanchez and Ozil usually play behind the striker in Wenger's 3-4-2-1 formation. Those are the spots Mahrez, a left-footer who often plays on the right, would likely operate in.

If one of Sanchez or Ozil leaves, Mahrez would make a fine replacement. If not, the Gunners could feel content with refreshing their attack simply by having signed Lacazette.